Brewhaha: I’ll pay attention to these things in East-West game

Published 5:15 am Friday, September 5, 2025

By Robert Brewer

Victoria East senior running back Breshawn Stafford (26) battles forward against the Georgetown defense last Friday at Memorial Stadium. He figures to be a key offensive player in this week’s crosstown rivalry game against Victoria West. (Stephen Fort photo)

Crosstown rivals Victoria East (0-1) and Victoria West (1-0) will square off Friday night at Memorial Stadium. On paper, East will play as the home team, though both teams will have a strong contingent of fans at the game. Here are some of the things I will be paying attention to once the contest gets underway.

Breshawn Stafford needs to eat 

The East senior running back carried the ball 13 times for a team-high 63 yards in last week’s home loss to Georgetown. He also caught four passes for 20 yards. A very fluid runner with good vision, power and instincts, Stafford should be carrying a heavy load for the Titans offense. A minimum of 20 carries would be a realistic expectation for Stafford.  

East defense will look to patrol the middle

The Titans defensive unit has lots of experience in its interior. Linebackers Caleb Alvarez and Noah Shepard are three-year starters. Defensive linemen Maddox Kent and Kahliel Prater are three-year starters as well. As a unit, East was able to turn away an explosive Georgetown offense on multiple fourth-down conversion attempts last week and forced a three-and-out on Georgetown’s opening drive. 

Titans QB rotation continues   

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    • Last week, senior Dedric Callis got the start at quarterback. Sophomore Xavier Baladez saw his first playing time at quarterback midway through the third period. The two passers rotated in and out of the lineup at various times in the second half. While Callis, a former running back, brings added athleticism to the position, the Titans sustained its longest drive of the game with Baladez under center. It remains to be seen which Titans quarterback will see the majority of the snaps for the rest of the season. 

    The maturation of Nolan Boyce 

    The West Warriors senior got his first varsity start at quarterback last week on the road at Lockhart. He completed 10-of-16 passes for 106 yards, 51 of those yards came on one play. Boyce also rushed for 94 yards on six carries with a touchdown. The Warriors skill position players will be counting on Boyce to distribute the ball at the right moments against a stout and experienced Titans interior defense.

    Jenesis Jeffries and Tristan Bernard look to get involved 

    The pair of Warrior seniors enjoyed great success in last week’s win over Lockhart. Jeffries rushed for 116 yards on 14 carries and a score. Bernard piled up 201 all-purpose yards and scored twice. Both players have great versatility and West head coach Courtney Boyce has a multitude of options to get the ball in their hands as runners, receivers, or special teams players.

    West defense has multiple disruptors 

    A host of Warriors defensive players made life difficult for Lockhart in last week’s 54-6 victory. Senior linebackers Jacob Freeman and Jevon Galvan had 10 tackles apiece and Wyatt Cahill-Suber notched one sack. The West defense combined for seven tackles for loss and forced a total of three turnovers, including an acrobatic interception by senior free safety Tay’vian Peoples. East must generate big plays early just to keep this active and fast defense at bay. 

    Robert Brewer is a sports reporter for the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at robert.brewer@vicad.com.

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